Key case



Nov. 23 1926.

K. MUETHEL KEY CASE Original Filed Jan. 13, 1925 K n III.

Patented Nov. 1926. l q I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

KURT M'lJ'E'I EEL, OI OMAHA, NEBRASKA,- ASSIGNOR OI ONE-HALF TO I. I. ZIMMER AND ONE-HALF TO A. W. FISCHER, BOTH OF OMAHA, NEBRASKA.

KEY case.

Application filed January 13, 1!??5, Serial No. 2,163. B,enewed September 25, 1826.

My invention refers to key cases, and it has for its object to provide a simple, economical'and effective key case, the arrangement and construction of which is such that a spring member fitted within the case will exert pressure to cause the side walls to approximately contact whereby the keys are held within the case frictionally, the spring member being provided with a loop for slidably maintaining a plurality of keys, which keys will automatically drop out of the case or pouch when the same is contracted endwise to cause the side walls to expand and. relieve the keys of the frictional grip. The mechanism is so combined and arranged that when it is desired to have access to the keys, the case, or open-mouthed pouch, is turned downwardly, and with one operation the end walls are compressed to expand the mouth of the pouch, whereby the keys will drop out and hang suspended by their retainin loop. In order to reencase the keys, it 1s only necessary to invert the pouch and exert a slight pressure thereon, whereby the keys will drop automatically into the case and be gripped thereby.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain peculiarities in construction and combination of parts, as will be hereinafter set forth with reference to the drawings and subsequently claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a sectional elevation of a key-case embodying the features of my invention.

Figure 2 is a cross section of the same, the section being indicated by line 22 of F igure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective viewshowing the pouch inverted and expanded with the keys exposed and suspended, and

Figure 4 is a detail view of a bowed spring constituting the chief feature of my invention, the said spring in this view being shown in its normal distended position.

Referring by characters to the drawings, 1-1 represent the side walls of an openmouthed pliable pouch, the same being shown rectangular 1n form, the bottom inner edge .2 and the inner side edges 3 of the pouch having fitted therein a rectangular bowed wire spring having a bottom stretch 4 and downturned end legs 5-5. As best shown in Figure 4, when the bow is in its normal position, the bottom stretch 4 is slightly bowed downwardly and the end legs 5-5 are flared outwardly with relation to each other. The end leg 5 is folded upon itself to form a loop havmg an inner leg section 6 which extends approximately parallel to the leg 5 and terminates in juxtaposition to the base stretch 4.. Thus it will be seen that when the bow is inserted in the uch, it is contracted or under tension, w e-reby the legs 55 will exert a downward pressure tending to-ex- 'pand the pouch lengthwise and thereby contract the side walls 1 in such manner that their inner faces will be practically in contact. It is understood that the spring bow is fastened in its adjusted position with relation to the pouch in any desired manner. The inner open end of the loop formed by the legs 5 and its extension 6 is slightly open whereby rings, or other key-retaining means may be strung on the leg 6 and when the parts are in position the open inner end of the loop is vertically closed, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

The leg 5' of the loop at its lower end is preferably curled in the form of an eye,

whereby no obstructions are presented to catch on the clothes of the user that might damage the'pouch. As shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, when the keys A are in the position assumed in said view, they are encased within the pouch and are held in their position by compression of the side walls 1 thereof. When it is desired to release the keys from the case or pouch, it is only necessary for the user to compress the end edges of the pouch and simultaneously invert the same, whereby said end walls will balloon or ex and outwardly and will release the keys rom their frictional grip. Said keys will then drop by gravity toethe position shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, whereby the key desired may be selected. When it is desirable to return the keys to the pouch, it is only necessary to agaln compress the end walls, whereby the mouth of the pouch will be distended and while in this distended position said pouch is inverted with a swing, which will cause the keys to fall into said pouch and assume their encased position, in which they will be held when pressure is relieved from the end walls of the aforesaid pouch.

While I have shown and described a simple exemplification of my invention minutely as to detail, it is understood that I may vary the structural features of it within a liberal interpretation of the claim.

I claim z- A key case comprising a pouch closed on three sides and having an open side, a yieldable wire fitted Within said pouch along the three closed sides and having one end bent backward and parallelling one side of the pouch to form a loop for the reception of slidable key retaining means, said wire being normally under tension and "holding said pouch closed, whereby when the ends of said pouch are pressed towards each other the unsecured side of said pouch will open.

In testimony that 1 claim the foregoing I have hereunto setmy hand at Hastings, in the county of Adams, and State of Nebraska.

. KURT MUETHEL. 

